Chapter 20: The Three-Year Promise

Time passed swiftly—spring giving way to autumn, summer fading into winter. In the blink of an eye, two years slipped by. The life of Qiuhan’s family grew ever more prosperous, yet with the passing years, the lines on their faces deepened. Although their child had become an immortal, the longing and concern in their hearts only grew heavier.

The last time Qiuhan and Yunrou returned home from the Hengyuan Sect, both sets of parents spoke often of their marriage. It was clear that as the two grew older, their families’ hopes for this union only intensified. To put his parents’ minds at ease, Qiuhan promised that in another two years—once he was past twenty—he would wed Yunrou.

It had now been three years since Qiuhan joined the Hengyuan Sect. At eighteen, he had become even more distinguished, his good looks and extraordinary bearing attracting the admiration of many young female disciples. As a personal disciple of Elder Gu Sui Feng, his exceptional talent in cultivation allowed him to reach the ninth level of the Qi Refining stage in just three years, earning him even greater reverence among the sect’s maidens.

Three months earlier, Qiuhan successfully advanced to the ninth level of the Qi Refining stage. To mark the occasion, Elder Gu Sui Feng, his master, held a grand assembly, publicly announcing Qiuhan’s status as his disciple and hinting that he would be his successor. To solidify Qiuhan’s authority among his peers, Gu Sui Feng selected two other disciples—each also at the ninth level of the Qi Refining stage—to challenge Qiuhan in combat.

When news spread that Qiuhan would face two opponents of the same level at once, the other disciples were stunned. They speculated wildly about what extraordinary abilities Qiuhan must possess to take on two of his peers in single combat.

Yet when Qiuhan defeated both adversaries with overwhelming ease, the outcome left all present in shock. None could have imagined such dominance at an equal stage of cultivation. At the Qi Refining stage, battles between those of the same level were never easy, let alone facing two at once. No one believed they themselves could have achieved what Qiuhan had.

After that match, Qiuhan’s fame soared within the Hengyuan Sect. Many came to know his name, though Qiuhan himself remained humble, closing himself away for a month of cultivation—much to the disappointment of those eager to see him.

By the side of a pond in the rear mountains of the Hengyuan Sect, a young man and woman sat together. The girl, appearing seventeen or eighteen, wore a pale green gown embroidered with delicate white lilies at the cuffs, silver threads tracing clouds, and a hem patterned with blue waves. Her chest was wrapped in a broad sash of light yellow brocade. As she moved, her skirt fanned out gracefully, every gesture elegant as a willow in the wind. Her hair was swept into a high chignon, her brows gently arched, her eyes bright with spring-like warmth. Her skin was as smooth as polished jade, her lips naturally rosy as if touched by dew. Two strands of hair fluttered against her cheeks, lending her an alluring charm, while her lively gaze sparkled with mischief. Slim-waisted, ethereal in her beauty, she seemed untouched by the dust of the mortal world.

The young man, around eighteen, was strikingly handsome, his features chiseled and defined, bearing an air of nobility. His thick black hair was tied high with a white jade crown. Beneath sword-like brows gleamed deep, gentle eyes that could easily ensnare the unwary. His nose was straight, his lips neither too full nor thin, curving in a dazzling smile.

These two were, of course, Qiuhan and Yunrou. Since Qiuhan’s advancement to the ninth level of Qi Refining, he had slowed his pace of cultivation, devoting most of his time to consolidating his realm, which allowed him more moments of leisure. Yunrou often came to see him, and as she grew older, the childhood affection she held for Qiuhan gradually blossomed into something deeper.

Whenever she walked with Qiuhan and saw the female disciples openly or subtly declaring their admiration for him, Yunrou could not help but feel displeased—as though something that belonged to her was being coveted by others. She could not quite explain or understand the reason for this feeling.

Sometimes Qiuhan, baffled by her moods, would scratch his head in puzzlement. When he sought advice from Zhou Yi and He Yitong, they only laughed and refused to enlighten him, leaving Qiuhan more frustrated than ever.

On a flat boulder by the pond, Qiuhan and Yunrou sat side by side. Qiuhan idly tossed pebbles into the water, sending up small splashes.

“Qiuhan, in another month, it will be time for the sect’s trial. Are you ready?” Yunrou asked, watching him with concern.

“Let things take their course,” Qiuhan replied casually, “but I’ve prepared as much as I can. With Master’s guidance, I doubt there will be any problems. My cultivation may be at the ninth level of Qi Refining, but my true strength should be closer to the eleventh. The only thing I don’t know is what this year’s trial will be.”

He stopped tossing pebbles and turned to face Yunrou.

“In two more years, when we return home, will you truly marry me?” Yunrou asked, blushing, her head lowered in shy embarrassment.

“Silly girl, didn’t our parents settle our engagement long ago? What are you worried about? Don’t fret—when my Yunrou is all grown up in two years’ time, I’ll marry you!” Qiuhan laughed and drew her into his arms.

“Then we’ll have a few children, give our parents grandchildren to dote on, and let them enjoy their old age in happiness.”

With that, Qiuhan swiftly pressed his lips to Yunrou’s already crimson cheek.

“You’re awful! Who said I’d marry you? I don’t want to have children with you. You’re so bad, Qiuhan—I’m not speaking to you anymore.” Yunrou broke free of his embrace and ran off, her face beaming with joy. It was clear she was not truly angry—if anything, she was secretly delighted.

“This girl is growing prettier by the day,” Qiuhan mused, touching his nose as he watched her go, then made his way back to his quarters.

There was only a month left before the Hengyuan Sect’s trial. All disciples above the ninth level of Qi Refining in the inner sect were eager and restless, ready for the day to arrive.

In the immortal cultivation world, a month was but a fleeting moment. Soon, the day dawned. That morning, all elders at the Nascent Soul stage, the sect master, and nearly a hundred Core Formation cultivators gathered in the grand hall’s plaza, with only the reclusive Supreme Elders absent.

At the head of the plaza, ten seats were arranged for the ten Nascent Soul elders of the Hengyuan Sect. Below them, Core Formation cultivators stood in two neat rows. Nearly ten thousand disciples assembled in the square.

After an hour’s wait, the sect master appeared, holding a jade slip, and took his place at the center of the grand hall’s entrance to announce the details of the trial.

Though nearly ten thousand were gathered, the plaza was utterly silent, all eyes fixed on the sect master as he began to read.

“All disciples at the Qi Refining stage, the time has come for our Hengyuan Sect’s decennial trial. Ten years have passed since the last, and those who succeeded then have by now reached the Foundation Establishment stage, becoming the backbone of our sect. Now, a new decade has arrived. Whether you can complete the trial and bring honor to the sect—and smooth your own path of cultivation—depends on your determination.

“The content of the trial remains unchanged from previous years. Those who succeed will each be awarded a Foundation Establishment Pill. As you all know, this pill greatly increases one’s chances of advancing from the Qi Refining stage to Foundation Establishment. Its preciousness needs no further elaboration.”